• Free agency could prove fruitful for RBs: With a weak draft class at the running back position, marquee free agents like Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs may find better offers on the open market than we’ve seen in recent years.
• An uncertain TE landscape: The tight end groups in the draft and free agency are not particularly strong, but players like Noah Fant offer intriguing upside.
• Dig into the numbers for yourself: PFF's Premium Stats is the most in-depth collection of NFL and NCAA player performance data. Subscribe today to get full access!
Estimated Reading Time: 17 minutes
We started our free agent landing spots series with quarterbacks and wide receivers, and now we turn our attention to running backs and tight ends, identifying the teams with the biggest needs at each spot and the resources available to make a splash. We’re operating under the assumption that teams do not retain their own top pending free agents at the respective positions.
For our full list of the top 150 free agents, check out our free agent rankings page loaded with player analysis, PFF data and contract projections.
29. RB Saquon Barkley, New York Giants
Potential landing spot(s): Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans
The Dallas Cowboys and owner Jerry Jones are never one to shy away from larger investments at the running back position, and Jones spent the better part of a decade reemphasizing that the offense ran through Ezekiel Elliott. Dallas in this scenario brings in a legitimate three-down back who can be another pass catcher for Dak Prescott while also capitalizing more often in short-yardage and goal-line situations than Tony Pollard did in 2023.
Houston got all it could out of free agent acquisition Devin Singletary, and it appears upshot 2022 rookie Dameon Pierce is not a great fit in the run scheme. Barkley can get to the edge well in outside zone and make defenders miss in space while also taking pressure off C.J. Stroud. The Texans should have had a much higher pass rate in 2023 and too often deployed a run-run-pass sequence, but Barkley is also an asset as a pass catcher and pass blocker.
Top free agent comparison: LeSean McCoy, 2015
| Player | Missed tackles forced per attempt | Yards after contact per attempt | Receiving grade | Yards per route run | APY as % of Cap at signing |
| Saquon Barkley | 0.13 | 2.82 | 59.3 | 0.93 | |
| LeSean McCoy | 0.15 | 2.20 | 61.8 | 0.9 | 5.6% |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
30. RB Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders
Potential landing spot(s): Cincinnati Bengals, Green Bay Packers
The Bengals hypothetically move on from running back Joe Mixon in this exercise, getting younger at the position with Jacobs. Cincinnati has fed Mixon carries and targets over the years, and Jacobs can shoulder the same load as a workhorse back.
Green Bay was reportedly one of the teams calling about Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor before he eventually signed an extension, and A.J. Dillon is a pending free agent while Aaron Jones is still uber-efficient despite missing a lot of time in 2023.
Top free agent comparison: Doug Martin, 2016
| Player | Missed tackles forced per attempt | Yards after contact per attempt | Receiving grade | Yards per route run | APY as % of Cap at signing |
| Josh Jacobs | 0.21 | 2.98 | 58.2 | 1.2 | |
| Doug Martin | 0.15 | 2.83 | 62.3 | 1.01 | 4.6% |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract Projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
31. RB Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans
Potential landing spot(s): Baltimore Ravens, Minnesota Vikings
The Baltimore Ravens were believed to be a top suitor of Henry’s at this year’s trade deadline, and he now comes available without them needing to give up any draft capital. Zone read with Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry would be absolutely diabolical for defenses to stop, and Henry could push for a ring on the back nine of his career, much like Odell Beckham Jr. did with Baltimore this past season.
Minnesota’s rushing attack was one of the least efficient across the NFL this past season, and they may also be looking to bring along a young quarterback whether or not they keep Kirk Cousins in the fold. This front office may not be viewed as one very likely to pay top dollar to the running back position, especially after they sharply moved on from Dalvin Cook before the 2023 season, but maybe there’s enough of a buy-low opportunity here on Henry.
Top free agent comparison: Leonard Fournette, 2022
| Player | Missed tackles forced per attempt | Yards after contact per attempt | Receiving grade | Yards per route run | APY as % of Cap at signing |
| Derrick Henry | 0.2 | 3.48 | 57.7 | 1.68 | |
| Leonard Fournette | 0.15 | 2.94 | 62.8 | 1.23 | 3.4 |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
36. TE Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans
Potential landing spot(s): Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots
Tanner Hudson quietly carved out a meaningful role in the Bengals' offense over the second half of the season as an underneath pass catcher, with his 35 receptions, five forced missed tackles and 19 first downs from Week 9 onward all ranking as top-15 marks among tight ends. Nevertheless, Hudson and Irv Smith Jr. are free agents, so Cincinnati once again has a talent void at the position. Capitalizing on a depressed tight end market in free agency could be wise.
New England traded Jonnu Smith to the Atlanta Falcons last offseason, and now Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki are hitting free agency. When Mac Jones was a rookie in 2021, the Patriots signed Henry and Smith to top-of-market deals in free agency, and here they adopt a similar approach with Schultz. New Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt comes from a Browns team that ran 12 personnel (two-tight end sets) even more than New England, at more than a 20% clip, so that figures to remain a focus in New England, where there is no tight end on the current roster who has played an NFL snap.
Top free agent comparison: Jordan Cameron, 2015
| Player | Receiving grade | Yards per route run | Positive run-block grade percentage | APY as % of Cap at signing | |
| Dalton Schultz | 71.4 | 1.47 | 8.5% | ||
| Jordan Cameron | 71.7 | 1.59 | 7.7% | 5.2% | |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
46. TE Hunter Henry, New England Patriots
Potential landing spot(s): Los Angeles Rams, New York Jets
Henry had a solid season in an anemic Patriots passing attack as a sure-handed red-zone target, hauling in six touchdowns in 2023. The thinking here is Tyler Higbee may miss a significant portion of the 2024 season after sustaining a knee injury in the divisional round against the Detroit Lions. Rams rookie Davis Allen made some plays down the stretch, and Los Angeles acquired Hunter Long from the Miami Dolphins in the Jalen Ramsey trade, but the Rams bridge the gap here with the veteran Henry in the meantime. Los Angeles ran over 90% of plays out of 11 personnel in 2023, so maybe this is too big of an expenditure, but Henry returns to Los Angeles where he played for the Chargers.
The New York Jets look like they’ll move on from tight end C.J. Uzomah this offseason, and this represents a one-for-one swap with Henry joining Tyler Conklin and Jeremy Ruckert. New York had by far the worst red-zone touchdown rate in the NFL in 2023, and while Aaron Rodgers will go a long way toward fixing that, he gets a big-bodied target here for money downs.
Top free agent comparison: Tyler Eifert, 2020
| Player | Receiving grade | Yards per route run | Positive run-block grade percentage | APY as % of Cap at signing | |
| Hunter Henry | 67.8 | 1.18 | 4.4% | ||
| Tyler Eifert | 68.2 | 1.36 | 1.9% | 2.4% | |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
53. TE Noah Fant, Seattle Seahawks
Potential landing spot(s): Chicago Bears, Washington Commanders
Fant still shows flashes of the top-end athleticism that made him the No. 20 overall pick out of Iowa back in the 2020 NFL Draft, including a pivotal 51-yard catch-and-run from Drew Lock in Week 4 against the Giants that set up a touchdown. Fant has averaged at least 4.5 yards after the catch per reception in all five seasons of his career while posting a career drop rate of just 3.4%. Chicago adds a move tight end who can work well alongside Cole Kmet as the inline tight end while also reuniting with offensive coordinator Shane Waldron.
Logan Thomas had a bounceback 2023 season but will be 33 years old by Week 1 of next season. If he’s still on the squad in 2024, this move probably doesn’t happen, but pairing Fant with a good inline blocker in John Bates could make sense as Washington looks to add more weapons for what should be a new rookie quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick in the draft.
Top free agent comparison: Eric Ebron, 2018
| Player | Receiving grade | Yards per route run | Positive run-block grade percentage | APY as % of Cap at signing | |
| Noah Fant | 67.5 | 1.32 | 4.7% | ||
| Eric Ebron | 72.5 | 1.46 | 3.3% | 3.7% | |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
56. RB Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers
Potential landing spot(s): Carolina Panthers, Washington Commanders
Carolina already has a one-two punch at running back in Chuba Hubbard and 2023 free agent addition Miles Sanders, who was effectively phased out of the offense and continued to have drops at inopportune moments. Sanders’ 2024 compensation is fully guaranteed, so it’s entirely reasonable to expect the Panthers won’t spend the limited resources they have at running back again. However, this would represent getting Bryce Young his Jahmyr Gibbs equivalent from his college days — a reliable check-down outlet who can take a ton of pressure off Young.
Antonio Gibson is a free agent, and while Brian Robinson’s pass-catching volume increased significantly in his second season, perhaps he forms a duo with Robinson as the early-down bruiser and Ekeler as the late-down pass catcher who can break off chunk gains through the air and make life easier for a rookie quarterback.
Top free agent comparison: Dion Lewis, 2018
| Player | Missed tackles forced per attempt | Yards after contact per attempt | Receiving grade | Yards per route run | APY as % of Cap at signing |
| Austin Ekeler | 0.19 | 2.79 | 72.6 | 1.44 | |
| Dion Lewis | 0.19 | 2.72 | 73.4 | 1.46 | 2.8% |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
83. TE Gerald Everett, Los Angeles Chargers
Potential landing spot(s): Chicago Bears
This is Chicago going the veteran route as opposed to the younger Fant. New offensive coordinator Shane Waldron was the Los Angeles Rams‘ tight ends coach in 2017 when a rookie Everett was their second-round pick. Everett and Kmet run hard in space and look to bowl over defenders, but Everett is far more shifty and can make defenders miss in space. This could be a strong duo to bolster 12-personnel looks after Robert Tonyan struggled to produce in 2023.
Top free agent comparison: Austin Hooper, 2022
| Player | Receiving grade | Yards per route run | Positive run-block grade percentage | APY as % of Cap at signing | |
| Gerald Everett | 73.0 | 1.34 | 4.0% | ||
| Austin Hooper | 68.3 | 1.28 | 8.1% | 2.9% | |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
104. RB D'Andre Swift, Philadelphia Eagles
Potential landing spot(s): Baltimore Ravens, New York Giants
The Ravens probably did their homework on Swift when they took J.K. Dobbins about 20 picks later in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, and now Dobbins and Gus Edwards are free agents while upshot rookie Keaton Mitchell is recovering from a gruesome knee injury sustained late in the season.
If the Giants elect to move on from Saquon Barkley, they could pivot to another former top draft pick who played in their division the past year. Swift showed growth in 2023, hitting the designed hole and not trying to bounce outside too often — an area Barkley has similarly improved in over the years — and offers pass-catching ability, as well.
Top free agent comparison: David Montgomery, 2023
| Player | Missed tackles forced per attempt | Yards after contact per attempt | Receiving grade | Yards per route run | APY as % of Cap at signing |
| D’Andre Swift | 0.2 | 2.63 | 58.5 | 1.17 | |
| David Montgomery | 0.2 | 2.7 | 68.5 | 1.1 | 2.7% |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
113. TE Adam Trautman, Denver Broncos
Potential landing spot(s): Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Chargers
Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing joined head coach Jonathan Gannon in Arizona after spending a few years in Cleveland. And before that, the two worked together with the Minnesota Vikings. At both stops, 12 personnel was a key personnel package, with deployment rates over 20% for the offense. The Cardinals carried that over in 2023 at a 20.6% clip. However, Zach Ertz asked for and was granted his release, and Geoff Swaim is a pending free agent. Trautman adds the inline blocking skill set to go along with the emerging star pass catcher in Trey McBride.
If there’s one thing we know about Jim Harbaugh, he wants to play physical football and run downhill. Blocking tight ends will be a focal point for a Chargers roster that got very little out of the position in 2023, beyond pending free agent Gerald Everett. Trautman is 6-foot-5 and 253 pounds and has earned run-blocking grades above 60.0 in every season of his career.
Top free agent comparison: Geoff Swaim, 2019
| Player | Receiving grade | Yards per route run | Positive run-block grade percentage | APY as % of Cap at signing | |
| Adam Trautman | 54.6 | 0.84 | 8.1% | ||
| Geoff Swaim | 57.3 | 0.99 | 8.1% | 1.7% | |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
118. TE Austin Hooper, Las Vegas Raiders
Potential landing spot(s): Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins
Denver will hope to get a healthier version of Greg Dulcich in 2024, and veteran Chris Manhertz is still under contract as the inline blocker. Here, Denver adds another veteran away from a division rival who can do a little of both and will still be only 29 years old in Week 1 of his ninth NFL season. Hooper had a quiet year in a Raiders passing attack that understandably sent most of its targets to Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers, with a major emphasis on the ground game once Antonio Pierce took over as head coach.
This is a buy-low move for Miami to get a complement to Durham Smythe, an in-house favorite who is a reliable tight end for an offense that leans heavily on 11 and 21 personnel. Hooper can sit down in the soft spots of zones and rack up some yards after the catch with all the room created by Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
Top free agent comparison: Benjamin Watson, 2013
| Player | Receiving grade | Yards per route run | Positive run-block grade percentage | APY as % of Cap at signing | |
| Austin Hooper | 69.2 | 1.15 | 4.1% | ||
| Benjamin Watson | 69.8 | 1.26 | 6.4% | 1.3% | |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
119. TE Mike Gesicki, New England Patriots
Potential landing spot(s): Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers’ 48.1% red-zone conversion rate in 2023 ranked 28th despite the presence of a lot of big-bodied pass catchers, but here they add another who can be flexed out wide or be used in his standard role as the big slot. Gesicki is not a blocker, but this move has some shades of Cameron Brate’s role in Tampa’s offense back in the day as the move tight end who always saw targets on third downs and in the red zone.
Top free agent comparison: N/A
| Player | Receiving grade | Yards per route run | Positive run-block grade percentage | APY as % of Cap at signing | |
| Mike Gesicki | 60.4 | 0.86 | 2.0% | ||
| Ryan Griffin | 55.8 | 0.89 | 4.3% | 0.6% | |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
128. RB J.K. Dobbins, Baltimore Ravens
Potential landing spot(s): Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles
New Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh may want to make an even bigger splash with a running back — Saquon Barkley or Josh Jacobs, for example — but here he buys low on a talented runner who has dealt with a bevy of injuries over the past few years. Harbaugh surely hasn’t forgotten the last time he played against Dobbins, with the Ohio State star running back going for 211 yards and four touchdowns on 6.8 yards per carry against Michigan in 2019.
This is just a classic Eagles-type move, with shades of both the D’Andre Swift acquisition from last year and the signing of Rashaad Penny for a near-minimum contract. Philadelphia continues to go cheap at running back but gets a lot out of backs behind elite offensive line coach and run game coordinator Jeff Stoutland.
Top free agent comparison: Damien Harris, 2023
| Player | Missed tackles forced per attempt | Yards after contact per attempt | Receiving grade | Yards per route run | APY as % of Cap at signing |
| J.K. Dobbins | 0.17 | 3.02 | 69.4 | 1.01 | |
| Damien Harris | 0.15 | 2.84 | 63.9 | 1.09 | 0.8% |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
129. RB Devin Singletary, Houston Texans
Potential landing spot(s): Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
Singletary showed proficiency as a zone runner in Houston, becoming the starting back in Week 9 and earning a 79.4 rushing grade from that point forward, which ranked 18th at the position. Singletary’s 2.9 yards after contact per attempt ranked inside the top 30 despite his size, and he was leaned on more and more as a check-down outlet, as well. Green Bay may prefer a bigger pack to pair with Aaron Jones, not just because of the loss of A.J. Dillon, but Singletary is a solid piece of a rotation.
The Vikings are going to add a running back in some form or fashion, and perhaps they continue to deploy a committee approach with lower-cost options instead of making a bigger splash.
Top free agent comparison: Miles Sanders, 2023
| Player | Missed tackles forced per attempt | Yards after contact per attempt | Receiving grade | Yards per route run | APY as % of Cap at signing |
| Devin Singletary | 0.22 | 2.92 | 55.8 | 0.71 | |
| Miles Sanders | 0.17 | 2.90 | 45.0 | 0.51 | 2.8% |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
132. RB A.J. Dillon, Green Bay Packers
Potential landing spot(s): Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants
Dillon brings a unique profile as a short-yardage bruiser who is not going to break off too many explosive gains, but that is exactly what Dallas was missing last season in the low red zone. Dillon grades very well in PFF’s system because he has a high success rate, rarely getting stuffed in the backfield for negative gains or unsuccessful plays. Yet, his longest rush is just 40 yards over 612 carries in four seasons.
If the Giants move on from Saquon Barkley, they will need multiple players to fill that void, arguably as many as three backs depending on how they felt about rookie Eric Gray’s debut season. Gray is built like a tree trunk and was trusted with some punt return duties because he has solid stop-start ability and acceleration. Here, Dillon is part of a committee and adds speed to replace Matt Breida.
Top free agent comparison: Jordan Howard, 2020
| Player | Missed tackles forced per attempt | Yards after contact per attempt | Receiving grade | Yards per route run | APY as % of Cap at signing |
| A.J. Dillon | 0.12 | 2.8 | 57.9 | 0.92 | |
| Jordan Howard | 0.11 | 2.8 | 57.9 | 0.69 | 2.4% |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
133. RB Zack Moss, Indianapolis Colts
Potential landing spot(s): Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots
Moss made the most of his season with the Indianapolis Colts after Jonathan Taylor sat out for the first month and also missed some more time with injury later on, forcing 0.2 missed tackles per attempt — a top-20 mark among running backs with at least 100 carries. The Ravens' run-heavy attack needs to make multiple additions if they don’t swing for a bigger target, and they have a ton of top contracts on the books in addition to several key free agents.
Moss could be a solid complement to Rhamondre Stevenson. He offers pass-catching chops, though he wasn’t as efficient through the air in 2023 as he was in 2022 but did get more usage out wide and has garnered trust in different alignments. Ezekiel Elliott will almost certainly head elsewhere for 2024, and the Patriots need to use all their meaningful draft capital on more important positions.
Top free agent comparison: Alexander Mattison, 2023
| Player | Missed tackles forced per attempt | Yards after contact per attempt | Receiving grade | Yards per route run | APY as % of Cap at signing |
| Zack Moss | 0.22 | 2.88 | 42.7 | 0.7 | |
| Alexander Mattison | 0.24 | 2.78 | 51.0 | 0.9 | 1.6% |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
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